Hey, Why Are You Recording My Name?

Written by Alan Yap

Which email are you more likely to read: one with your name on it or one without? Chances are, you will choose former. Well, you are not alone. Statistics have shown that people are more than twice as likely to open and read an email that is personally addressed to them. But how can you benefit from this fact?

Personalize your emails!

Whenever you send emails to your prospects or ezine subscribers, have their names appear on subject headings. This simple tip can easily double your earnings.

But wait, how are you going to get them to "willingly" tell you their names?

If you run an ezine (which is an absolute *MUST* for your online success), your primary goal is to get email addresses of your potential subscribers. Don't try to ask for their first names, last names, gender, age, or any other personal information.

With increasing number of online scams, it is not difficult to see why people hate to divulge their personal data, especially on their first contact. Why should they? They hardly know you. You should be happy if they are willing to give you their email addresses. Ask for anything more and they may not even subscribe.

"What Alan? I thought you just said we should personalize our emails? How can we do so without asking for their names in first place?"

You can, and you should ask for their names. But not on first contact.

An example always makes things clearer. Take a look at http://www.profitjump.com . You see that I only ask for email address of those who wish to subscribe. Once they enter their email addresses and hit "Subscribe" button, real action begins...

Notice that I say all new subscribers will receive 3 free gifts? After I've received their subscription requests, I send them a "Thank You" note. This note also tells them how to get their free gifts -- by simply replying to my autoresponder. This time they will be emailing me using their email programs, which are usually configured to include their names. The second "free gift" request email that I receive from them will now contain their names. Bingo!

Building a Referral-Friendly Business

Written by Angela Wu

Referrals are an important part of any successful business. They're a great way to keep building your customer base, year after year, without having to go out and pay for advertising. Instead, you use power of your current customers to help you continue to grow.

Referrals really are 'golden'. For one thing, in this time-crunched age where everyone's so busy, people are more willing to depend on advice of trusted contacts. It saves them from spending time in laborious research.

Referrals also produce a 'snowball' effect. Happy customers tend to have a good idea of which one of their friends would appreciate your product or service. They refer people similar to themselves... who also refer people they know... and so on.

But one of best things about referrals is that they're easier to convert into customers! It's fine for YOU to say that you provide a great product or service -- but when someone else says it, it instantly has more impact... especially when it comes from a trusted friend or contact. Your credibility and expertise have been established by referrer.

However, many business owners assume that just because they do a good job, referrals will happen automatically. This isn't true; people often need a little encouragement to send referrals your way. It's up to you to take a more active role in making them happen.

Go ahead and tell your customers that you'll do your best to make sure they're happy. Then let them know that you would welcome any referrals -- in other words, simply ASK for new referrals. Encourage them by offering referral incentives.